Penn State Football: With eight practices in the book, Bill O'Brien says quarterback race is even

The snow finally stopped, and the sun finally shined, meaning Penn State held its first outdoor practice of the 2013 spring season Friday.

Penn State quarterback Steven Bench throws on the first day of spring football practice. April 20.
Joe Hermitt, PennLive.com

There were few clouds in the sky for the Lions eighth spring workout, but there is still plenty of cloudiness surrounding the Lions quarterback race with over half of the spring completed, and no clear leader for the job according to head coach Bill O'Brien.

The sophomore leader covered that, and more, in a video with Penn State athletics' Tony Mancuso posted on the programs website Saturday.

"Both guys are athletic, bright guys, and they're competitive and working hard at it," O'Brien said when asked about the two-horse race between sophomore Steven Bench and junior college transfer Tyler Ferguson.

"Both guys have had good plays and bad plays. They're about even right now, and I really enjoy coaching them."

The Nittany Lions will practice Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday next week before practicing twice the following week leading into the Blue-White scrimmage on April 20. And while there is still work to do, O'Brien is pleased with what he's seen so far.

The head coach said he feels his team made a lot of progress, though "it hasn't all been pretty." There's no question that moving outside, which O'Brien prefers, was a milestone in his second spring camp, and it's a near certainty his players feel more comfortable in his system in year two.

The biggest change -- or maybe not so much -- comes defensively, where John Butler was promoted from defensive backs coach to defensive coordinator to replace the departed Ted Roof, who left for home and Georgia Tech.

But a different coach doesn't mean a different philosophy, and O'Brien declared that the defense will still play aggressive.

Penn State defensive coordinator John Butler during the first day of spring football practice. Monday was the first of 15 practices the Nittany Lions will have before the annual Blue-White game an April 20.
Joe Hermitt, PennLive.com

"John's added a nice little touch to it with some different packages, and we're going to be tough on defense," O'Brien said of Butler's scheme.

"We're athletic, and we've improved our ball skills over there. We feel good about where we're at on defense."

Speaking of defense, converted defensive back Malik Golden is one player O'Brien feels has had a good spring, also noting wide out Eugene Lewis as a young player that has impressed thus far.

The gains of spring do not necessarily equal a certainty for the fall, though, and O'Brien is well aware of that. Which is why, with six practices to go before the scrimmage finale, he calls the next week of practice big.

"We have four practices, and we have to get a lot of work done," he said. "We still have some installation to do there, and different things we want to put in on offense, defense, and special teams, so next week's a real big week.

"The last week we'll probably tempo it down a little bit, and get ready for the Blue-White game."